Protein Folding and Assembly

Our research focuses on different aspects of how proteins fold and how large protein complexes assemble. Projects cover diverse areas including biophysics, molecular biology (including protein engineering) and chemical biology. Current projects include:

How does a knotted protein fold?

Recently, a remarkable new class of proteins have been discovered which have deep topological knots formed by the polypeptide backbone. These structures represent a new challenge for the protein folding community - not only has the protein to fold but in doing so it must also knot. We are studying the folding pathways of several knotted proteins, including YibK shown on the right, using a combination of experimental and computational techniques.

How do molecular chaperones work to assembly large molecular complexes?

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a highly abundant and important protein in our cells which is the target of a new class of anti-tumour agents. It plays a key role in the assembly of a number of cellular complexes which are critical in cellular signal transduction pathways. We are combining a large number of biophysical techniques to understand the mode of action of Hsp90.

Single molecule studies on the folding of a large β-barrel protein.

The green fluorescent protein (GFP) first isolated from jellyfish is a protein with unique spectroscopic properties. A cyclisation and oxidation of the polypeptide backbone results in the formation of a chromophore which is highly fluorescent. In collaboration with the Klenerman group are using these special features of GFP to study the folding of this protein at a single molecule level.